The Reverend Terry Jones, author of a book called "Islam is of the Devil," is also Pastor of Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida. As far as I can determine, about the only thing global about the outreach center is his self appointed crusade to rub 911 in the face of Muslims around the globe by declaring September 11th "International Burn a Koran Day."
Most political analysis agree that his timing could not be at a more an inauspicious time. Besides the fact that his tactics are counter productive and blatantly disregard Christ's command to turn the other cheek, this radical act is also scheduled at a time when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas are gearing up for a new round of Mideast peace talks.
(Click Koran for CNN interview with Jones)
(Click Koran for CNN interview with Jones)
In spite of this caveat by the good general, the mutton chopped pastor, simply licked his mustache and continues with the mission as planned. (And, eventually carried this out, as it was later leaked to the press, resulting in several lives lost in Afghanistan because of his foolishness,)
As far as I can see, Pastor Jones has a lot to learn about the difference between rights and just good common sense. Yes, he has the Constitutional right to burn the Koran, but is it right? He also has the same right to turn the other cheek. That, I submit, as a Christian is the proper thing to do.
Where in Scripture does he find any justification for this radical act? I can think of no reason that he would promote such an activity except to cause conflict and rile a bunch of fanatics into frenzy, besides offending Muslims of a more moderate disposition.
He says he wants to send a message "loud and clear" to jihadist Muslims and their sympathizers that we have had enough; as if the ‘shock and awe’ campaign over Baghdad and the continued war effort in Afghanistan and Iran following 911 were not message enough.
Unfortunately, missionaries laboring selflessly in Muslim countries will suddenly become convenient targets for radical jihadist to vent their anger on. So, Mr. Jones, instead of burning, may I suggest that you pray? Prayer along with goodwill will do more to spread the Christian message of love and redemption than burning a 1000 Korans—that's for sure!
Now, if we could get Saudia Arabia to stop confiscating Bibles from unsuspecting tourist and burning these, we might be another step ahead in establishing peace between Islam and Christianity.
Now, if we could get Saudia Arabia to stop confiscating Bibles from unsuspecting tourist and burning these, we might be another step ahead in establishing peace between Islam and Christianity.
Well, this is my opinion. I would appreciate reading yours in the comment section below. Thanks for your interest. We covet your prayers and friendship.
There will never be peace between Islam & Christianity and there should never be. If we truly believed that our God is the only real God, then all other gods are truly demons of deception. Thus making all other religions as the doctrine of demons. How can the True Gospel and the doctrine of demons ever coexist peacefully. I don't advocate burning the Koran because I am a soldier & I understand the repercussion against our military. However, I believe that it takes such controversial action against Islam because Christians have refused to stand up. We pray for our unbelieving neighbors, but that should not be substituted for action. "What is destroying the church today is the silent majority." If only we would stand up & proclaim the Gospel. Instead, we hide behind the veil of "tolerance" & don't want to offend anybody. The cross of Christ IS offensive to those that are perishing, but it is also life!
ReplyDeleteMarlin, wrote:
ReplyDeleteDear Jim,
I agree with you that even promoting the burning of the Koran by this "Pastor?", will not find the revenge that he is seeking, but will only put Christians on the same level as the Moslems and bring persecution to missionaries working in Moslem countries.
Prayer for the Moslems is much more effective. One way we could show them that they have not won is to rebuild where the twin towers stood, and this time build much
taller. Secondly, our security should be strengthened so that is would not be possible for terrorists to repeat their terror.
Your brother in Christ,
Marlin Ashcraft
Jason, for a more thorough review of my position on Islam, click onto the Islam index in this blog. I agree that fundamentally Islam and Christianity are in many aspects diametrically opposed; however, I do know that there also many wonderful people that are Muslims. I spent many years overseas as a missionary working among them, gently leading them to Christ. So, from people to people there can be peace. Any religion that has to resort to violence is suspect, as far as I am concerned. Jesus said that he that lives by the sword will die by the sword. Both Judasim and Islam advocate an eye for an eye and a tooth. Christ advocated turning the other cheek, and that is revolutionary in terms of a world religion.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOn Sep 9, 2010 11:18am, Rose wrote:
ReplyDeleteHello Brother Roane,
Amen and Amen. I am horrified at what this so called pastor is doing. As you know from years of mission work to Muslims they revere their Koran much more than Christians do their Bibles. He is only inciting trouble not giving a message of Christ. Thanks for getting the message out.
Did you mean to say "selfishly missionaries work in Muslim countries" or selflessly?
Yours in Christ,
Rose
--------------0000000000000000000000000-------------
Thanks, Rose,
Yeah, I meant to say, selflessly. What a blunder. However, I am sure others picked up on that. Thanks for the correction and the email. Jim
What reveals the true nature of the religion is that when threatened, they resort to violence. When this pastor threatened to burn their book (which they don't even consider the true Koran since it's not in Arabic), they immediately began threatening us with violence. They've been burning our Bibles, flags, effigies of our presidents, shouting "America is the great Satan. Death to Christians. Death to America" for years, yet we Christians don't bomb their mosques. It irritates me how a benign action in FL immediately provokes a violent response. It just shows who we're really dealing with. Just my 2 cents.
ReplyDeleteIt will interest you to know that some 269,445 people responded from predominately Muslim countries to Journey Answers on Network211 (a ministry that I have helped build), with as many as almost 6,000 reporting a conversion experience during the past year or so. The other 200,000 or so requested pray or ask questions. So, our belief is that many of those are accepting Christ, also, once they read the material we send them and dialogue with them. Pray that God will continue to give me the strength to minister. I replied to almost 90 inquirers in one day last week, most were either Hindus or Muslims.
ReplyDeleteSo, the question is not how irritated we are, but what we are doing about it. Buring the Koran only stirs up the hornets nest; whereas, a ministry of reconciliation will bring them to the true God through Jesus Christ. At least that is my opinion, and approach, too, I might add. Christ died for them also, and we must model that love, too.